Storage System

ABSTRACT

A storage system comprises a first grid structure of storage cells, each cell being arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins, the first grid structure having a top level. The system further comprises a first vehicle, arranged to move horizontally at the top level of the first grid structure, and a bin lift device, arranged to convey a bin in a vertical direction between the top level of the grid structure and a delivery station. The first vehicle is further arranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the first grid structure and to deliver the storage bin to the bin lift device. The bin lift device is arranged to receive a bin from the vehicle at the top level of the first grid structure and to convey the bin to the delivery station. The storage system further comprises one or more additional grid structures of storage cells at a different vertical level than the first grid structure, and additional vehicles that is arranged to move horizontally at the top level of the additional grid structures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of applicationSer. No. 14/442,410 filed 13 May 2015, which is a US National Stageapplication of international application PCT/EP2013/072887 filed 4 Nov.2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of logistics andstorage systems.

More specifically the invention relates to a storage system whichcomprises a first grid structure of storage cells, each storage cellbeing arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins, thefirst grid structure having a top level. The system further comprises afirst vehicle, arranged to move horizontally at the top level of thefirst grid structure, and a bin lift device, arranged to convey a bin ina vertical direction between the top level of the grid structure and adelivery station. The first vehicle is further arranged to receive astorage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the first gridstructure and to deliver the storage bin to the bin lift device.Moreover, the bin lift device is arranged to receive a bin from thevehicle at the top level of the first grid structure and to convey thebin to the delivery station.

BACKGROUND

The Applicant's already known AutoStore system is a storage system ofthe type mentioned in the introduction. The AutoStore system comprisinga three dimensional storage grid containing storage bins that arestacked on top of each other to a certain height. The storage grid isconstructed as aluminium columns interconnected by top rails. A numberof vehicles, or robots, are arranged on the top rails. Each vehicle isequipped with a lift for picking up, carrying, and placing bins that arestored in the storage grid.

Such a storage system of the background art has been illustrated inFIG. 1. The storage system 10 comprises a grid structure 20 of storagecells. Each cell is arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storagebins 30. The grid structure has a top level.

The storage system 10 further comprises a vehicle 40, which is arrangedto move at the top level of the grid structure and also arranged toreceive a bin from a storage cell at the top level of the gridstructure. The storage system 10 may include a plurality of suchvehicles 40, as illustrated.

The storage system 10 further comprises a bin lift device 50. The binlift device 50 is arranged to receive a bin from the first vehicle 40 atthe top level of the first grid structure and to convey the bin down ina vertical direction to a delivery station, or port, 60. The storagesystem 10 may include a plurality of such lift devices 50 and ports 60,as illustrated.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved storage system withrespect to at least one of performance, capacity, utilization of area,and flexibility.

SUMMARY

The invention has been defined in the patent claims.

More specifically, the invention provides a system as set forth in theintroduction, which further comprises a second grid structure of storagecells at a different vertical level than the first grid structure, and asecond vehicle that is arranged to move horizontally at the top level ofthe second grid structure. The second vehicle is further arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the secondgrid structure and to deliver the storage bin to the bin lift device.The bin lift device is further arranged to convey a bin in a verticaldirection between the top level of the first grid structure and thesecond grid structure.

Further possible features, including exemplary aspects, structure andoperation of various embodiments, have been described in detail belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, likereference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, partly cut perspective view of a storage systemaccording to the background art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, partly cut perspective view illustrating certainaspects of a storage system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation illustrating certain aspects of astorage system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device at the top of an upper grid structure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device at the top of an intermediate grid structure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device and a delivery station;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of atwin bin lift device at the top of an upper grid structure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of atwin bin lift device and two delivery stations;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating principles of networkcommunication between storage system components;

FIG. 11 3 is a schematic side elevation illustrating certain aspects ofa storage system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic, partly cut perspective view of a storage systemaccording to the background art, which has already been referred to inthe background section.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, partly cut perspective view illustrating certainaspects of a storage system;

The storage system includes a first, upper grid structure of storagecells, arranged on an upper floor 80. Each storage cell is arranged toaccommodate a vertical stack of storage bins. The first grid structurehas a top level 20.

A first vehicle 40 is arranged to move at the top level 20 of the uppergrid structure and arranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cellat the top level 20. A plurality of such vehicles may be arranged on thetop level 20 of the upper grid structure, as appears from FIG. 2.

At least one vertical bin lift device is arranged in the system. Onesuch bin lift device has been shown at 56. It is arranged to receive abin from the vehicle at the top level of the upper grid structure 20 andto convey the bin down in a vertical direction to a delivery station 66,which in this example is arranged at the ground floor in the buildingwherein the storage system is installed. The inter-grid bin lift device56 is arranged to deliver bins to an operator at the delivery station 66arranged on a ground floor 26. The delivery station 66 may also receivebins from the operator and deliver them to the inter-grid bin liftdevice 56.

The storage system further comprises a lower grid structure of storagecells on a different vertical level than the first grid structure. Inthis example the lower grid structure has a top level 22 and is arrangedbelow the upper grid structure. The lower grid structure may e.g. be amain storage grid structure.

Vehicles of the kind previously described are arranged to move at thetop level of both the upper and the lower grid structure. Each vehicleis arranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cell at the toplevel of the respective grid structure.

Each inter-grid bin lift device, such as the inter-grid bin lift device56, is arranged to receive a storage bin from the vehicle at the toplevel of the upper grid structure and to convey the storage bin in avertical direction to the top level of the lower grid structure. Theinter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to convey the storagebin in a vertical direction to the delivery station 66.

The inter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to receive astorage bin from the vehicle at the top level 22 of the lower gridstructure and to convey the storage bin in a vertical direction to thetop level 20 of the upper grid structure.

The system may also include at least one additional inter-grid bin liftdevice, which is not necessarily connected to a delivery station, andwhich is arranged to receive a storage bin from the vehicle at the toplevel of any one of the upper or lower grid structures and to convey thestorage bin in a vertical direction to the top level of any one of theupper or lower grid structures.

The system may also include any number of bin lift devices which do notextend between grids on different levels (i.e., which are not inter-gridbin lift devices), but which merely provides access from one particulargrid to a delivery station.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, bin lift devices such as thebin lift device 56 are each connected to a delivery station 66 which isarranged below the lowermost grid structure, since the lower gridstructure is on a higher vertical level than the delivery station 66.However, alternatively or in addition, any number of bin lift devicesmay be connected to a delivery station which is installed on any side ofthe grid structures, on any grid structure level. Delivery station(s)may in certain circumstances even be located at a level above the top ofthe uppermost grid structure.

When a vehicle delivers a storage bin to a bin lift, the bin liftexchanges this bin with the previously used bin and the vehicle returnsit back to storage.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of the upper grid structure 20 and arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the uppergrid structure.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of the lower grid structure 22 and arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the lowergrid structure.

Each vehicle typically has two sets (pairs) of wheels that enable it tomove horizontally on rails which extend along two axes on the top ofeach grid structure 20, 22. The axes may be perpendicular. This makes itpossible for all vehicles to reach any position on the top of therelevant grid structure.

Each vehicle is equipped with a lift for picking up, carrying, andplacing storage bins that are stored in the corresponding gridstructure. The robot communicates with a control system via a wirelesslink and is automatically recharged when needed, typically at night.

The storage system may further comprise additional grid structures ofstorage cells. More particularly, the storage system may include 2, 3,4, 5 or more grid structures of storage cells, each arranged on aseparate vertical level.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of any possible further grid structure included inthe system, e.g. a third grid structure, and arranged to receive astorage bin from a storage cell at the top level of that grid structure.

Each grid structure may, e.g. be constructed as an aluminium (or otherpossible materials) structure, organized in rectangular storage cells.Each storage cell has room for several storage bins that are stored ontop of each other. Different configurations of height and shape arepossible, making the grid structure able to surround pillars and otherobstacles.

On the top of each grid structure 20, 22 there is arranged tracks in twodimensions, allowing the vehicles assigned for this particular grid tomove.

A storage bin is the basic module in which goods are stored. The storagebin may, e.g., be embodied in two different heights and can be producedin different materials in order to achieve particular properties, suchas polypropylene or high-density polyethylene. In a particular aspect,anti-static bins may be used for accommodating electronics components.By example, a bin may have length 600 mm×width 400 mm, with heights of210 mm or 310 mm.

In an aspect, at least one of the grid structures may be a consolidationgrid. A consolidation grid is a grid used for intermediate storing,e.g., for storing a plurality of bins that contain goods intended for aparticular order.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation illustrating certain aspects of astorage system.

This embodiment of the storage system includes a first, upper gridstructure of storage cells, arranged on an upper floor 80. Each storagecell is arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins. Thefirst grid structure has a top level 20.

A first vehicle (not shown) is arranged to move at the top level 20 ofthe first grid structure and arranged to receive a storage bin from astorage cell at the top level 20. A plurality of such vehicles may bearranged on the top level 20 of the first grid structure.

At least one vertical bin lift device is arranged in the system. Onesuch bin lift device has been shown at 56, although a plurality of binlift devices may be employed. The bin lift device 56 is arranged toreceive a bin from the vehicle at the top level of the first gridstructure 20 and to convey the bin down in a vertical direction to adelivery station 66, which in this example is arranged at the groundfloor in the building wherein the storage system is installed. Theinter-grid bin lift device 56 is arranged to deliver bins to an operatorat the delivery station 66 arranged on a ground floor 26 in a building.The delivery station 66 may also receive bins from the operator anddeliver them to the inter-grid bin lift device 56.

The storage system further comprises a second, intermediate gridstructure of storage cells on a different vertical level than the firstgrid structure. In this example the second, intermediate grid structurehas a top level 22 and is arranged below the first grid structure.

The storage system further comprises a third, lower grid structure ofstorage cells on a different vertical level than the first gridstructure and the second grid structure. In this example the third,lower grid structure has a top level 24 and is arranged below the secondgrid structure. The third grid structure may be a main storage gridstructure.

Vehicles of the kind previously described are arranged to move at thetop level of both the second and the third grid structure. They arearranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top levelof the respective grid structure.

Each inter-grid bin lift device, such as the inter-grid bin lift device56, is arranged to receive a storage bin from the vehicle at the toplevel of the first grid structure and to convey the storage bin in avertical direction to the top level of the second grid structure. Theinter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to convey the storagebin in a vertical direction to the delivery station 66.

The inter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to receive astorage bin from the vehicle at the top level of the second gridstructure and to convey the storage bin in a vertical direction to thetop level of the first grid structure.

The inter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to receive astorage bin from the vehicle at the top level of any of the first,second or third grid structures and to convey the storage bin in avertical direction to the top level of any one of the first, second orthird grid structures.

The system may also include at least one additional inter-grid bin liftdevice, which if not necessarily connected to a delivery station, andwhich is arranged to receive a storage bin from the vehicle at the toplevel of any one of the first, second or third grid structures and toconvey the storage bin in a vertical direction to the top level of anyone of the first, second or third grid structures.

The system may also include bin lift devices such as the bin lift device50 which do not extend between grids on different levels (i.e., notinter-grid bin lift devices), but which merely provides access from oneparticular grid to a delivery station 60.

Delivery station(s) may be installed on all sides of the gridstructures, or even below the lowermost grid structure if the gridstructure is on a higher vertical level than the delivery station. Thedelivery station may even be located at a level above the top of theuppermost grid structure.

When a vehicle delivers a storage bin to a bin lift, the bin liftexchanges this bin with the previously used bin and the vehicle returnsit back to storage.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of the first grid structure 20 and arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the firstgrid structure.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of the second grid structure 22 and arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the secondgrid structure.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of any further grid structure, e.g. the third gridstructure 24, and arranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cellat the top level of that grid structure.

The storage system may further comprise additional grid structures ofstorage cells. More particularly, the storage system may include 2, 3,4, 5 or more grid structures of storage cells, each arranged on aseparate vertical level.

Each grid structure may, e.g. be constructed as an aluminium (or otherpossible materials) structure, organized in rectangular storage cells.Each storage cell has room for several storage bins that are stored ontop of each other. Different configurations of height and shape arepossible, making the grid structure able to surround pillars and otherobstacles.

On the top of each grid structure 20, 22, 24 there is arranged tracks intwo dimensions, allowing the vehicles assigned for this particular gridto move.

A storage bin is the basic module in which goods are stored. The storagebin may, e.g., be embodied in two different heights and can be producedin different materials in order to achieve particular properties, suchas polypropylene or high-density polyethylene. In a particular aspect,anti-static bins may be used for accommodating electronics components.By example, a bin may have length 600 mm×width 400 mm, with heights of210 mm or 310 mm.

In an aspect, at least one of the grid structures may be a consolidationgrid. A consolidation grid is a grid used for intermediate storing,e.g., for storing a plurality of bins that contain goods intended for aparticular order.

Each vehicle has two sets of wheels that enable it to move horizontallyon rails which extend along two axes on the top of each grid structure20, 22, 24. The axes may be perpendicular. This makes it possible forall vehicles to reach any position on the top of the relevant gridstructure.

Each vehicle is equipped with a lift for picking up, carrying, andplacing storage bins that are stored in the corresponding gridstructure. The robot communicates with a control system via a wirelesslink and is automatically recharged when needed, typically at night.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device. The bin lift device 50 includes a movable support for abin 30, the movable support being arranged to slide in a vertical framewhich includes at least two, possibly four, vertical columns, which arearranged at corresponding corners of the bin when positioned to besupported by the movable support. The bin lift device is furtherarranged to be elevated or lowered by appropriate lifting means.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device 30 at the top of an upper grid structure. The upper endsof the columns of the vertical frames are interconnected by an upperframework constituting the upper level 20 of the grid structure. Theupper framework has openings corresponding to the shape and size of thebin 30 that is lifted and lowered by the bin lift device 50.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device at the top of an intermediate grid structure. The binlift device 50 has features corresponding to those illustrated in FIG.5, but the framework 70 constitutes the upper level 22 of anintermediate grid structure. Further, two columns of the bin lift device50 extend further upwards to another grid structure at a higher level,e.g. the upper grid structure 20.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of abin lift device and a delivery station. The delivery station 60, orport, is arranged at the lower end of the bin lift device 30. Thedelivery station 60 serves the purpose of delivering a bin to a humanoperator of the system, and to receive bins from the operator. Thedelivery station may be arranged, e.g., at a ground floor.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of atwin bin lift device at the top of an upper grid structure. The twin binlift device includes two bin lift devices 50, 52 as already describedwith reference to the bin lift device 50 above, which may be arranged atopposite sides of a pillar, or constructional supporting column, 80.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating certain aspects of atwin bin lift device and two delivery stations. The twin bin lift deviceincludes two bin lift devices as already described with reference toFIG. 8, and two delivery stations 60, 62 arranged at opposite sides ofthe pillar, or constructional supporting column, 80.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating principles of networkcommunication between storage system components.

Each vehicles 40, 42 is remotely controlled, for instance by means of awireless radio-based communication link. To this end, an access point110 has been provided as a wireless router for providing communicationbetween a control unit 100, e.g. a computer, and each vehicle 40, 42.The access point may be arranged in the vicinity of the system as awhole, or separate access points may be employed for different parts ofthe storage etc.

Also, each vehicle is provided with wireless communication meansconfigured to provide wireless communication. Each vehicle is furtherprovided with an electrical energy source, such as a rechargeablebattery, in order to supply electrical effect to a motor or a pluralityof motors which are also incorporated in each vehicle.

The control unit 100 is further operatively connected to controlequipment controlling the delivery stations 66.

The control unit 100 is further operatively connected to consoleequipment and viewing equipment.

The control unit 100 includes an interface network and a customernetwork, which is configured, in use, to provide communication with adatabase such as an SQL database and further computing equipment ordevices.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation illustrating certain aspects of astorage system similar to FIG. 3.

This embodiment of the storage system includes a first, upper gridstructure of storage cells, arranged on an upper floor 78. Each storagecell is arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins. Thefirst grid structure has a top level 18.

A first vehicle (not shown) is arranged to move at the top level 18 ofthe first grid structure and arranged to receive a storage bin from astorage cell at the top level 18. A plurality of such vehicles may bearranged on the top level 18 of the first grid structure.

At least one vertical bin lift device is arranged in the system. Onesuch bin lift device has been shown at 56, although a plurality of binlift devices may be employed. The bin lift device 56 is arranged toreceive a bin from the vehicle at the top level of the first gridstructure 18 and to convey the bin down in a vertical direction to adelivery station 66, which in this example is arranged at the groundfloor in the building wherein the storage system is installed. Theinter-grid bin lift device 56 is arranged to deliver bins to an operatorat the delivery station 66 arranged on a ground floor 26 in a building.The delivery station 66 may also receive bins from the operator anddeliver them to the inter-grid bin lift device 56.

The storage system further comprises a second, intermediate gridstructure of storage cells, arranged on a floor 80, the second gridstructure being on a different vertical level than the first gridstructure. In this example the second, intermediate grid structure has atop level 20 and is arranged below the first grid structure.

The storage system further comprises a third intermediate grid structureof storage cells, arranged on a floor 82, the third grid structure beingon a different vertical level than the first grid structure and thesecond grid structure. In this example the third grid structure has atop level 22 and is arranged below the second grid structure.

The storage system further comprises a fourth, lower grid structure ofstorage cells, arranged on a floor 84, the fourth grid structure beingon a different vertical level than the first grid structure, the secondgrid structure and the third grid structure. In this example the fourth,lower grid structure has a top level 24 and is arranged below the thirdgrid structure. The fourth grid structure may be a main storage gridstructure.

Vehicles of the kind previously described are arranged to move at thetop level of the second, third and fourth grid structure 20,22,24. Theyare arranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cell at the toplevel of the respective grid structure.

Each inter-grid bin lift device, such as the inter-grid bin lift device56, is arranged to receive a storage bin from the vehicle at the toplevel of the first grid structure and to convey the storage bin in avertical direction to the top level of the second grid structure. Theinter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to convey the storagebin in a vertical direction to the delivery station 66.

The inter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to receive astorage bin from the vehicle at the top level of the second gridstructure and to convey the storage bin in a vertical direction to thetop level of the first grid structure.

The inter-grid bin lift device 56 is further arranged to receive astorage bin from the vehicle at the top level of any of the first,second, third or fourth grid structures and to convey the storage bin ina vertical direction to the top level of any one of the first, second,third or fourth grid structures.

The system may also include at least one additional inter-grid bin liftdevice, which if not necessarily connected to a delivery station, andwhich is arranged to receive a storage bin from the vehicle at the toplevel of any one of the first, second, third or fourth grid structuresand to convey the storage bin in a vertical direction to the top levelof any one of the first, second, third or fourth grid structures.

The system may also include bin lift devices such as the bin lift device50 which do not extend between grids on different levels (i.e., notinter-grid bin lift devices), but which merely provides access from oneparticular grid to a delivery station 60.

Delivery station(s) may be installed on all sides of the gridstructures, or even below the lowermost grid structure if the gridstructure is on a higher vertical level than the delivery station. Thedelivery station may even be located at a level above the top of theuppermost grid structure.

When a vehicle delivers a storage bin to a bin lift, the bin liftexchanges this bin with the previously used bin and the vehicle returnsit back to storage.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of the first grid structure 18 and arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the firstgrid structure.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of the second grid structure 20 and arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of the secondgrid structure.

The storage system may further comprise additional vehicles arranged tomove at the top level of any further grid structure, e.g. the third gridstructure 22 and/or the fourth grid structure 24, and arranged toreceive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top level of that gridstructure.

On the top of each grid structure 18,20, 22, 24 there is arranged tracksin two dimensions, allowing the vehicles assigned for this particulargrid to move.

Each vehicle has two sets of wheels that enable it to move horizontallyon rails which extend along two axes on the top of each grid structure18, 20, 22, 24. The axes may be perpendicular. This makes it possiblefor all vehicles to reach any position on the top of the relevant gridstructure.

Each vehicle is equipped with a lift for picking up, carrying, andplacing storage bins that are stored in the corresponding gridstructure. The robot communicates with a control system via a wirelesslink and is automatically recharged when needed, typically at night.

The detailed description has been presented above for the purpose ofunderstanding the principles of the present invention. It will beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the particularembodiments described herein. Various modifications, rearrangements andsubstitutions may readily become apparent to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined bythe following claims and their equivalents.

1. Storage system, comprising a first grid structure of storage cells,each storage cell of the first grid structure being arranged toaccommodate a vertical stack of storage bins, the first grid structurehaving a top level, a first vehicle, arranged to move horizontally atthe top level of the first grid structure, and a bin lift device,arranged to convey a bin in a vertical direction between the top levelof the grid structure and a delivery station, wherein the first vehicleis further arranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cell at thetop level of the first grid structure and to deliver the storage bin tothe bin lift device, wherein the bin lift device is arranged to receivea bin from the vehicle at the top level of the first grid structure andto convey the bin without the vehicle to the delivery station, whereinthe storage system further comprises one or more additional gridstructures of storage cells, each storage cell of the additional gridstructures being arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storagebins, the additional grid structures being arranged essentially above orbelow the first grid structure at a different vertical level than thefirst grid structure, one or more additional vehicles, each vehiclearranged to move horizontally at the top level of a correspondingadditional grid structure, wherein the additional vehicles are furtherarranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top levelof its corresponding grid structure and to deliver the storage binwithout the vehicle to the bin lift device of its corresponding gridstructure for delivery to the delivery station.
 2. Storage systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and additional grid structuresare arranged on separate floors or mezzanines in a building.
 3. Storagesystem according to claim 1, wherein the bin lift device is arranged toreceive a bin from the vehicle at the top level of an additional gridstructure and to convey the bin to the delivery station.
 4. Storagesystem according to claim 3, wherein the additional grid structure isarranged below the first grid structure and the delivery station isarranged below the level of the additional grid structure.
 5. Storagesystem according to claim 4, wherein the delivery station is arranged onthe ground floor in a building.
 6. Storage system according to claim 1,further comprising additional vehicles arranged to move at the top levelof the first grid structure and arranged to receive a storage bin from astorage cell at the top level of the first grid structure.
 7. Storagesystem according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vehiclesarranged to move at the top level of the additional grid structure andarranged to receive a storage bin from a storage cell at the top levelof the additional grid structure.
 8. Storage system according to claim1, further wherein at least one additional grid structure of storagecells is arranged on a vertical level different from the vertical levelsof other grid structures in the system.
 9. Storage system according toclaim 8, wherein the first grid structure is an upper grid structure andone additional grid structure is an intermediate grid structure, and yetanother one additional grid structure is a lower grid structure. 10.Storage system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the gridstructures is a consolidation grid.
 11. Storage system according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one additional inter-grid bin liftdevice, arranged to receive a storage bin from the vehicle at the toplevel of the first grid structure and to convey the storage bin in avertical direction to the top level of the additional grid structure.12. Storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a controlunit and network communication devices configured to provide wirelesscommunication between the control unit and said vehicles.